Spool



June 8, 1943.

H. c. HOWSAM ET AL 2,321,084

SPOOL Filed Nov. 15, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l ZnVEmZEFE 601.7420 flows/9. 61501205 6. 77/0552, c/e.

Jlme 1943- H. c. HOWSAM ET AL 2,321,084

sPobL Filed Nov. 15, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 24 30 Z4 Muwea a/ran amv.

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Patented June 8, 1943 SPOOL Hilyard C. Howsam, Chicago, and George G. Tucker, Jr., Berwyn, 111., assignors to Hubbard Spool Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 15, 1941, Serial No. 419,230

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to metal spools adapted particularly for carrying material such as rayon or nylon thread. Spools for this purpose are generally comparatively long and. with the diameter of the hub or barrel small relative to the diameter of the heads for the desired load capacity of the spool. Although material such as rayon or nylon is comparatively light, when it is wound on a spool it builds up a heavy pressure against the heads, and therefore the spool must be so constructed that the heads are strong and rigid and accurately maintained with their inner faces in radial planes so that the heads will not spread under the heavy pressure built up during winding. Unless such accurate and rigid structure is provided for the spool, the winding of the thread will not be uniform and regular and the thread will catch and snarl during unwinding of the spool.

A further requirement for spools for the purpose described is that the spools must seat accurately and concentrically on a supporting arbor during winding and unwinding, so that the spool, particularly when being unwound, will not wobble but will turn perfectly smoothly and uniformly on its axis.

An important object of our invention is to construct a spool of this type entirely of comparatively light sheet metal, such as steel, with the various sheet metal elements arranged and rigidly secured together as by welding for cooperation to produce a rigid structure which will maintain its proper shape and resist deflection or distortion. a

A further object is to provide unitary head structures each built up of sheet metal parts rigidly secured together to brace each other and to provide a central accurately aligned bearing bushing for arbor engagement.

A further important object is to provide simple and efficient means for securing the unitary head structures to the ends of the barrel in accurate concentric relation to the barrel.

Our invention also embodies other features of improvement, and the various features are incorporated in the structure shown on the drawings, in which drawings: 7

Figure 1 is an end elevation of the spool;

Figure 2 is a side elevation with one end of the spool in section on plane II-II Figure 1;

Figure 3 and Figure 4 are enlargements of the section on Figure 2 to show more clearly the arrangement at the connection between the heads and the barrel;

Figure 5 is an end view showing a modified arrangement; and

Figure 6 is a section on plane VI-VI Figure 5.

The spool comprises a barrel element 13 and sad structure H secured thereto. Each head structure comprises a sheet metal disk l0 whose central portion is deflected to provide the annular flange H at right angles with the disk and of an outer diameter to fit snugly into the corresponding end'of the barrel. .These disks I0 form the flanges between which and barrel the material to be supported by the spool is wound. To strengthen these flange disks, their outer peripheries are curled outwardly in a substantially circular form to provide rims or tires l2.

An outer wall or disk l3 of sheet metal is provided for each head structure but is of less diameter than the flange disk Ill and has its p'eripheral portion [4 rigidly secured to the flange disk as by spot welding as indicated by M. The portion of the outer disk [3, inwardly of its peripheral portion 14, is inclined outwardly to be spaced away from the flange disk It, the central portion of the outer disk being cut out and de-' flected inwardly to form a bushing I5 concentric with the flange disk and the barrel. The portion N3 of the end disk surrounding the bushing may be in a radial plane, as shown, the main portion of the end disk inclining from this portion 16 to the peripheral portion M which is secured to the flange disk l0.

To hold the inner portion of the outer disk accurately and rigidly spaced away from the flange disk 10, an annular connecting and supporting member 11 of sheet metal is provided. As best shown on Figures 3 and 4, this member I! has the outwardly directed flange l8 atits outer end secured to the outer disk l3 as by welding I9. Intermediate its ends the member I! is reversely bent to form a seating corner 26 for receiving the corner between the flange disk It] and its inwardly extending wall or hub l i, the inner end 2| of the member ll being of an outer diameter to snugly flt against the hub portion H to which it is rigidly secured as by welding 22. To further secure the outer disk to the inner or flange disk I0, and particularly to stiffen and strengthen the bushing [5, an inner brace member 23 is provided. The inner annular wall 24 of this brace member fits snuglyinto the annular wall 2| oi the securing member H and is secured thereto as by welding 25. The intermediate wall 26 of the brace member 23 extends radially inwardly substantially in alignment with the flange disk It, and the outer end 21 extends axially and intimately around the bushing wall I5. The lower portion l of the bushing wall i5 is preferably deflected outwardly to abut against the inner side of the intermediate wall 26 of the brace member 23.

To strengthen and stiffen the brace member 23, the corner between the inner wall 24 and the intermediate wall 26 is deflected transversely at various regularly spaced points, as indicated at- 28, and the corner between the outer wall 21 and the intermediate wall 28 is deflected transversely as indicated at 29, the deflections 28- and 29 being in alignment with their inner wall portions providing diagonal braces 30 extending between the inner and outer ends of the brace member 23, as

clearly shown on Figures 2 and 4. The brace members 23 will thus hold the bushing portion l5 of the head structure rigid against axial displacement and will assist in holding the bushing concentric and against distortion.

At spaced intervals, the outer wall or disk l3 of each head is deflected inwardly toengage ra dial portions 3| against the flange disk Hi to be rigidly secured thereto. as by spotwelding 32.

With the various parts of the unitary head:

structure arranged; secured together, and braced and strengthened as described, a comparatively light sheet metal may beused- The hub flanges H of the heads fit. snugly into' the ends of the barrel B. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 1304, the. extended inner-portions H of the hub flanges providethe means for rigidly securing the heads to the barrel'ends. After application of the heads to the barrel ends, the heads are rigidly held against the barrel endsby suitable clamping means and then the end portions I! of the hub flanges H- are'r-igidly secured to the barrel as by welding 33;

A keyway 34- may be prov-ided in the bushing structure for receiving a driving key when the spool is mounted onan arbor for winding.

The structurev shown on Figures 5 and 6 is the 1 same as the structure on Figures 1 to 4 except that the unitary head structures, instead. of being directly welded to the barrel ends, are secured. by screw means. Screw holes 35 are provided in the inner IE of. the outer disk I3 and. aligned holes 35 are provided in. thev radial. wall 26' of the brace member 23. Within eachend. of the barrel is a ring 31 secured to the barrel as by welding 38, this ring having a radially extending flange 39 at its outer end to the underside of" which threaded pieces or nuts. 40 are secured in a suitable manner for receiving the threaded ends of the screws 41 for rigidly securing the head structures to the barrel ends. The corner between the ring 31 and its flange "SS-may be'deflected asindicated at 42 for stiffening the flange, thescrews passing preferably between" adjacent deflections 42 as shown on Figure 6.

We thus produce an efficient spool for thepur pose described which'is constructed entirely of comparatively light sheet metal parts sointerconnected, braced and stiffened; that the spool possesses maximum strength andrigidity. The barrel and head structures witharbor bushings are maintained accurately concentric so that the spool will turn accurately and-freely without wobble during unwinding thereof.

We have shown practical-and efficient embodi ments of. our invention, but: we do. not. desire to be. limited to the. exact construction. and anrangement shown and described, as changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

We claim as follows:

1. A sheet metal spool comprising a cylindrical barrel, head structures, each head structure comprising a flange disk having. its central portion deflected to form an annular hub fitting into the corresponding end of said barrel, an outer disk of less diameter than said flange disk but cons centric therewith and secured along its outer peripheral portion to the flange disk by welding, the portion of said outer disk inwardly of its peripheral portion inclining outwardly from the flange disk and having its central portion deflected inwardly to form an annular bushing, an annular supporting and spacing member having its inner end fitting in said flange disk hub and welded thereto and having its outer portion welded to said outer disk, an annular brace member having its innerportion engaging in the inner part of said spacing member and welded thereto and having its outer portion intimately surrounding said bushing, and means. for securing said head structures to the barrel ends.

2. A sheet metal spool comprising a cylindrical barrel, unitary head structures for said barrel", each head structure comprising a flange disk having its central portion deflected inwardly to form an annular hubfitting into the corresponding end of said barrel, an outer disk secured along its outer periphery to said flange disk and with its inward portion inclining gradually away from said flange disk, the central portion of said outer disk being deflected inwardly to form anarbor engaging bushing, andan annular brace and'securing members having an inner flange portion extending axially intoand. secured to saidflange hub and an outer flange portion intimately sur rounding said bushing.

3. A spool comprising a cylindrical barrel, a head structure for each end ofthe barrel comprising aflange disk deflected to form an annular hub fitting into the barrel end, anouter disk welded around its outer peripheral portion to said flange disk and having itsinner portion deflected to provide a bushing concentric-with said flange disk, an annular brace having an inner portion concentric with. said; flange disk' hub and an outer portion receiving said. bushing, said" flange disk hub and the inner portion of said bracebeing welded together, and" means: for securing each head structure to the barrel: end;

4. A sheet metal spool comprising. a cylindrical barrel, a head structure for each end of thebarrel comprising an inner wall having an axially extending annular portion, an outer wallsecured alon its outer-peripheral portion to said; inner wall and having anannular axial extensionforming a bushing, an annular brace member having an inner axially extendingportion concentric with said. inner wall extension and having an intermediate radial portion terminating in an outwardly axial extending portion concentric with. and receiving said bushing, the corners of said brace member being. transversely deflected for stiffening said member, said inner portion of said brace member and. said extension on. said inner wall being secured together by welding, and means for securing each head. structure .to the barrel end;

5. A sheet metalspool comprising a cylindrical barrel, and aunitary head structure for each end ofthe barrel comprising an inner end wall having an annular axiallyextendingflangecom centric therewith, an outer wall spaced a distance from said inner wall and welded along its peripheral portion to said inner wall, an annular spacer member having an inner portion fitting into said inner Wall flange and an outer portion abutting against and welded to said outer wall, an annular brace member having an inner portion fitting into the inner portion of said spacing member, the inner portion of said outer Wall being deflected inwardly to form an annular bushing, the outer portion of said brace member receiving said bushing, said inner wall flange and the inner portions of said spacer member and said brace member being intimately welded together to form a hub fitting into the respective barrel end, and means for holding said head structures axially to the barrel ends.

6. A sheet metal spool comprising a cylindrical barrel, unitary head structures for each end of the barrel, each head structure comprising an inner annular disk having an axially extending annular flange at the center thereof, an outer disk concentric with said inner disk and spaced therefrom and having only its peripheral portion welded to said inner disk, an annular supporting member having its inner portion fitting in the flange of said inner disk and having an outer portion welded to said outer disk, said outer disk inwardly of said supporting member being deflected inwardly to provide an annular arbor engaging bushing, the inner portion of said supporting member and the flange of said inner disk being welded together to form a hub for fitting into the barrel end, and means for securing each head structure axially to the barrel end.

7. A sheet metal spool comprising a cylindrical "i ii having its central portion deflected to form an arbor engaging bushing concentric with the barrel, an annular brace member having an inner portion extending into the flange of said inner disk and having an outer portion intimately surrounding said bushing, the inner portion of said brace member being welded to the inner disk flange, and said inner disk flange being welded to the barrel to secure the head structure to the barrel end.

8. A sheet metal spool comprising a cylindrical barrel, unitary head structures for said barrel, each head structure comprising a flange disk having its central portion deflected inwardly to form an annular hub fitting into the corresponding end of said barrel, an outer disk secured along its outer periphery to said flange disk and with its inward portion inclining gradually away from said flange disk and having an arbor receiving opening therethrough, and an annular spacing and supporting member having its inner end telescoping into said flange disk hub and welded thereto and its outer end welded to said outer disk.

9. A sheet metal spool comprising a cylindrical barrel, unitary head structures for said barrel, each head structure comprising a flange disk having its central portion deflected inwardly to form an annular hub fitting into the corresponding end of the barrel, an outer disk secured along its outer periphery to said flange disk and with its inward portion inclining gradually away from said flange disk and having an arbor receiving opening therethrough, and an annular brace and supporting member of ogee cross-section having its inner end extending into said flange disk hub and secured thereto and its outer end abutting said outer disk around said arbor receiving opening.

HILYARD C. HOWSAM. GEORGE G. TUCKER, JR. 

